L89 Big-Block 1968 Corvette (Video)

If you wanted your sports car with an extra dose of muscle back in 1968, you dialed ‘L-8-9’.

No matter what you’re into, YouTube is chock-full of weekly reviews and retrospectives of things from our past. From video games to classic rock & roll albums, there’s always someone ready and willing to shed new light on an oft-visited subject.

Classic muscle cars are no different, and the YouTube channel Muscle Car of the Week caps the week off nicely with new episodes every Friday. This episode focuses on the dawn of the C3 Corvette.

Bowing for the 1968 model year, the C3’s design toed the line between “revolutionary” and “revolutionary.”

While we love C2s, we have to admit that when parked side by side, the lithe, athletic, coke-bottle shape of the C3 makes the C2 look just a bit chunkier by comparison.

This example’s sinewy fiberglass is clad in a classy Polar White. Those muscular, knife-edged front fenders pack an impressive powerplant: the L89 427 cubic-inch, big block V8.

Producing a whopping 435 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, this Corvette was no slouch when it came to straight-line performance. The L89 option helped the big block Corvette breathe easier, and also made it a better corner-carver due to reduced weight.

ALSO SEE: What the Forum Has to Say About the L89 Corvette

You’ll have a substantially easier time finding an L89-equipped C3 than you will a C2. With just 16 produced in 1967, it’s a rare bird, indeed. While that number grew to 624 for 1968, it’s still a rare, desirable option. Corvette collectors should expect to pay dearly for the privilege of owning one.

With early C3 prices going up seemingly every few months, it’s especially interesting to pay attention to the best of the breed. Right up there with the ultra-rare ZL1 cars, these L89 Corvettes are as collectible as they come.

Whether you consider the Corvette a gentleman’s muscle car, or a loud, unruly sports car, this video from Muscle Car of the Week is a welcome addition to the day.